by Lydia Rose
Rachel walked in the front door and walked into the living room.
“Hello, everyone,” she said as she went around the room receiving hugs.
“Where are the rug rats?” Kate asked.
“At home with their father. Don’t I deserve a night off?”
“Rachel Walters, this is Kelly McIntyre.”
“Doctor Kelly McIntyre,” her mother said.
“It’s nice to meet you, Rachel. Kate has told me so much about you. All of you,” Kelly said, looking around the room.
“Doctor? Medicine?” Rachel asked.
“No,” she said with a laugh. “Professor of Ancient History.”
“Well, you’ve obviously impressed my mother,” Rachel offered.
“You girls get acquainted,” Kathy said as she dragged Steven from the room. “We’ll have dinner on the table in a minute.”
Rachel looked at a grinning Kate and then at Kelly who was wearing a similar expression. Her mouth dropped open. “You two are together?”
Kate looked at Kelly dumbstruck. “What are you talking about?”
“You’re in love with her,” she leaned in closer. “Do Mom and Dad know?”
Kate grabbed Rachel’s hands and sat her down on the couch. “Will you keep your voice down? No, they don’t know. How the hell did you know?”
“Oh come on, Sis, it’s written all over your face.” Rachel looked at Kelly. “It’s all over your face, too,” she said with a chuckle. “If Mom hasn’t figured it out yet, she will.”
“Shit, I knew I shouldn’t have come here tonight.” Kelly stood up.
The two women looked at a panicking Kelly.
“Kelly, they’re going to love you,” Rachel said, trying to calm Kelly down.
Kelly began to fidget in her seat the moment they all sat down at the dining room table. Both Kate and Rachel noticed how uncomfortable she had become.
Kelly never heard Kate’s dad ask a question. Kate poked Kelly under the table. “Excuse me?”
“My dad asked if you were originally from New Jersey,” Kate said.
Kelly’s head shook up and down, but she didn’t speak. Kate poked her again. “Yes, sir, born and bred in New Jersey.”
“Is everything okay, Kelly?” Rachel asked with a laugh.
“Yes.” She looked at Kate’s mom. “Kathy, the food is very good.”
Kathy could see how uncomfortable Kelly was, and she said finally, “I know, Kate.” She smiled at her daughter and then at Kelly.
“What is it with your family?” Kelly asked mumbling. “Can you all read minds or something?”
“No, Kelly. I know my daughter very well. She is glowing with love.”
“They both are,” Rachel added.
“It was only your father that was in the dark until I told him in the kitchen.”
He nodded with a laugh.
“Kate, all we ever wanted was for you to be happy.” Kathy smiled. “That’s all that matters.” She lowered her voice. “I have a sister who is gay.”
Kate asked, “Aunt Lucy?”
“Yes,” Kathy said softly.
“Is that why we have never seen her?” Rachel asked.
“When my parents found out, they disowned her. I never told you girls why she was out of lives. I was embarrassed about what my parents did to her. I didn’t want you to think badly of them.” Kathy placed her hand across her chin. “Lucy and I talk to each other several times a year. I’ve tried to get her to come back and visit. To meet you girls, but I could never convince her.”
“Where does she live?” Kate asked.
“Upstate New York with her partner of 40 years, or it could be her wife now since the laws have changed.” Kathy smiled at the two girls. “Welcome to the family, Kelly.”
“Thank you,” Kelly said, choking back tears. “I thought you were going to try and change Kate’s mind about us. I’ve been worried for days,” she said, admitting her worst fears.
“I can imagine you worrying about that since I saw what happened to my sister. Thankfully, Lucy stayed strong and moved away with Alison. They’ve been together ever since,” Kathy said smiling. “Maybe now I can convince Lucy and Alison to visit.”
“If you can’t get them here, Mom, we’d like to visit them,” Kate said, taking Kelly’s hand in her own.
“We can all go visit, if she’ll have us,” Kathy said emphatically.
Kate and Kelly left her parent’s house with hugs from everyone. They promised to have dinner at Rachel’s house soon so that Kelly could meet her husband and two kids.
As soon as they were in the car alone, Kelly leaned over and gave Kate a kiss.
“What was that for?” Kate asked smiling.
“Because you have a wonderful, understanding family. I can’t believe how lucky we are. My parents took my sexuality like yours did. It just rolled off their backs.”
CHAPTER 17
Kelly and Kate got to spend one final weekend with Mary, Meredith, Jennifer and Reese. They knew that the new school term would keep them all busy.
Kate was fidgeting on the sofa one evening. Kelly kept looking at her until she finally said, “What’s on your mind Kate?”
“Nothing important,” she answered, not showing too much confidence in her answer.
Kelly moved closer to her. “If you don’t tell me, I’m going to tickle your feet until you do.” Kate reached for her feet.
Dodging her feet from Kelly’s attempted grasp, she admitted. “Don’t you think it’s silly that you have an apartment when you spend so much time here?”
Kate smiled. “Are you asking me to move in with you, Kate?”
Kate shrugged, “Is it too soon to bring something like that up to you?”
“Come here,” Kelly said pulling Kate to her. She kissed her deeply. “I would love to move in with you, Kate.”
“You would?” Kate asked, surprised by how easy that was. She had been thinking about it for weeks now and was unsure if Kelly would think they were moving too fast.
“I like your house and it feels like home. My apartment doesn’t feel like home anymore.” Kelly kissed her again hoping to take this kiss further.
The phone rang and Kate’s mother’s number appeared on the screen. “Hold that thought,” she said to Kelly smiling. “Hi, Mom.” There was a pause. “No, Mom you’re not interrupting dinner,” Kate said with a wink at Kelly.
“No, she’s interrupting something more important,” Kelly said before Kate’s hand covered her mouth.
“Wait, Mom, let me put you on speaker so Kelly can hear. Be good,” she said to Kelly before she put the call on speaker.
Kathy first said, “Hi, Kelly.”
“Hi, Kathy.”
“As I started to tell Kate, I spoke with Lucy. She wasn’t surprised to hear about you Kate.”
Kelly laughed.
“Stop laughing,” Kate said to Kelly.
“She’s very happy for you and Kelly, and wants us all to come up to see her. She says they have room for everyone. I was thinking a long weekend would be nice.”
“That’s great Mom. We will all have to check our schedules and see what works for everyone.” Kate looked at Kelly. “By the way, Mom, Kelly’s moving in here.”
“That’s wonderful, honey. Now I don’t have to wonder where to reach you.”
“Mom, you can always call my cell phone. That’s with me no matter where I am.”
“I know, dear. I’m just used to picking up the phone and calling you at home.”
****
It was the end of September and Kelly was all moved into Kate’s home. They were both busy at work, and were happy for the invitation from Jennifer and Reese to spend this weekend with them.
By five o’clock Friday night, they were on their way to the beach.
“We’re here,” Kelly said, getting out of the driver’s seat. She breathed in deeply, hoping to smell the ocean. Unfortunately for her, the wind wasn’t right.
Jennifer and Reese c
ame out of the house to greet them. Kate smiled at the small belly that was showing on Reese.
Reese hugged Kate fiercely. “I’ve missed you two. Thanks for coming down.”
“No, thank you. We needed a break from work,” Kate said, and then made her way over to Jennifer who had just finished hugging Kelly.
“Ladies, bring the bags inside please,” Reese said, taking Kate by the arm leading her into the house.
“That means you, Casanova, because I certainly am no lady,” Jennifer said sarcastically.
Kelly laughed. “You definitely are no lady.” As Kelly walked to the back of the car, she noticed the for sale sign on the small cape across the street. “Jen, what do you know about that house?” she asked, pointing.
“The house belonged to an older couple who spent winters in Florida. They’re too old to go back and forth anymore. Their children have no interest in the place.”
“How much are they asking?” Kelly asked, hoping it was a number she could handle.
“It’s small and needs a lot of updating.” She looked at Kelly’s anxious face. “$850,000.00.”
“Do you think Reese could keep Kate busy while you and I check out the house?”
“Since when did college professors make that kind of money?” Jennifer asked, smirking.
“They don’t, but I have a trust fund from my grandparents.” Kelly grinned. “Unless having us for neighbors might be something you wouldn’t like?”
“We both would love to have you two as neighbors, and Mary and Meredith goes without saying.” Jennifer proposed, “I’ll call now and see if I can get us in there early tomorrow. I’ll say we’re going to the bakery. Okay?”
“Perfect. I’ll go inside and say you got a phone call and will be right in.”
“Where’s Jen?” Reese asked as soon as she walked into the house alone.
“She’s on the phone. She’ll be right in.” Kelly walked toward the stairs. “I’ll just put our bags in the room.”
Jennifer walked into the room a few minutes later. “We’re all set for nine.”
“Thanks, Jen. I appreciate you doing this for me.” Kelly paused, “Do you think she’ll be happy if I buy a house?”
“I think she will be thrilled,” Jennifer said, resting her arm on Kelly’s shoulder.
Reese walked in the room. “What are you two up to?”
Jennifer laughed. “See it’s not just Kate’s mother that can read minds. My wife can, too.” She walked over to Reese, and said to Kelly, “Go downstairs so Kate doesn’t show up here, too. I’ll explain to Reese what’s going on.”
Kelly met Kate in the kitchen. “Where is everyone?”
“Oh, they’re having a quickie,” Kelly said with a laugh.
“No, they’re not. What’s going on?”
Kelly shrugged. “They said they would be right down.”
The following morning, the plan began. “Casanova, walk with me to the bakery. I’m going to pick up croissants.”
“Sure,” Kelly said, following her out the door.
“I already went to the bakery earlier. The bag is hidden on the porch,” Jennifer said as they walked across the street.
The realtor was in the house waiting for them.
“Hello, ladies, I’m Robin Baxter. Which one of you is the interested party?”
“I am. Kelly McIntyre and this is Jennifer Connelly. She lives across the street.”
“The house needs updating, but the heating and air are only two years old. The roof is five years old.”
As they walked into the kitchen, the realtor commented, “As you can see, the kitchen does need updating, but it’s very big. There’s room for a large farm table for entertaining. There’s a bathroom and a small bedroom. This is the master bedroom and it has a master bathroom. There are hardwood floors under all the carpeting.” They walked toward the stairs. “There is one bathroom and a bedroom up here.” They came down the stairs and stood in the living room. “It won’t take much to bring this place up to date,” the realtor continued.
“Can I see the yard?” Kelly asked.
“Sure,” Robin said. “There’s a nice screened porch off the kitchen.”
Kelly walked out to the screened porch and stood there. “How long has it been on the market?”
“It came on the market after Labor Day. The owners are anxious, if you would like to make an offer.”
“Jen, what do you think about the place?” Kelly asked, anxious for her opinion.
“It looks in good shape. Yes, it can use updating, but it’s not bad.”
“Do me a favor, Jen. Call across the street and ask Reese to bring Kate with her.”
“I want my partner to see the house before I consider buying,” Kelly said to the realtor.
“Of course,” Robin said smiling.
“What’s going on, Jen?” Kate asked as soon as she saw Jennifer standing on the lawn across the street.
“Kelly wants to show you the house,” Jennifer answered.
“Why?” she asked, not wanting to waste her time looking at houses they couldn’t afford. Kate walked into the house. “Kelly?”
“In here, Kate.”
“What are you doing? We can’t afford this house,” she said, keeping her voice low.
Kelly winked at the realtor. “Just look around and tell me what you think of the place.”
So Kate and Reese went from top to bottom looking at the house.
They returned to the kitchen and walked out to the screened porch. “So, what do you think of the house?” Kelly asked, touching Kate’s arm.
“I think it’s great and we couldn’t ask for a better location. It has enough room if family wanted to visit.” She faced Kelly. “Someday, this would be nice.”
Kelly turned to Robin. “Okay, write up the offer as we agreed.” She turned to Kate. “I’m starving. Let’s go eat breakfast. Call me when the papers are ready for a signature.”
The three women followed Kelly out of the house and across the street. Jennifer grabbed the bag from the bakery she had hidden.
Kelly poured herself a cup of coffee and sat at the kitchen table.
Kate took the seat next to her and calmly said. “Are you going to explain what just happened?”
Kelly took a sip of coffee as Reese and Jennifer busied themselves with finishing making breakfast.
“Hopefully, we just bought a beach house.”
“How much are they asking for the house?”
“It doesn’t matter, Kate.”
Kate rolled her eyes. “Yes, it does. We can’t afford a house in this neighborhood.”
“If I told you the money isn’t a problem, would you tell me you love the house?”
“Of course, I love the house. How is money not a problem?” Kate asked for further explanation.
“My grandparents left my sister and me a trust fund.”
“You’re kidding?” Kate said.
Kelly shook her head.
Kate sat back in her chair shocked. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I do. I love you and I think that back yard would be a perfect place to have a wedding ceremony next summer.” Kelly got onto her knees and reached for something in her pocket. “I was going to do this when we were alone, but why not in front of our two good friends. Kate Bennett, would you do me the honor of marrying me?”
Kate was off the chair before Kelly finished proposing. “Yes, I will marry you, Kelly McIntyre. I love you,” she said, looking into the blue eyes.
“I love you, too,”
They sealed their engagement with a kiss.
CHAPTER 18
“Hi Kelly, I’m home.” Kate called as she walked into the quiet house.
“I’m upstairs,” Kelly shouted to her lover.
“Hey,” she said, looking at Kelly sitting in a chair, papers in hand. “I missed you today.”
Kelly held out her arms, waiting for Kate to sit in her lap. “I missed you, too, but you know I couldn’t get out
of this meeting.”
Kate wrapped her arms around Kelly’s neck and kissed her mouth. “I’ve been dying to do that all day.” She looked at Kelly. “Jen and Reese send their love.”
“Are you happy with the progress on the house?” Kelly asked as she nibbled Kate’s neck.
“I took some pictures for you to see,” she said with a whisper, as Kelly’s lips continued their exploration along her collarbone. “I spoke to my mother,” Kate said, trying to form the words as Kelly’s hands explored her body. “We are all set for our visit to Aunt Lucy at Thanksgiving next month.”
“That’s nice,” Kelly said, never removing her lips from Kate’s skin.
Kate ran her hand through the back of Kelly’s hair. “Your hair is damp?” she asked looking at Kelly.
“I went to the gym after my meeting and took a shower when I got home.”
“Working on that body again?” Kate asked smiling.
“Always,” she said, trying to unbutton Kate’s blouse.
“Are you hungry?” Kate asked, moaning.
“Oh yeah,” she said, looking into Kate’s eyes and showing the desire she had been anticipating all afternoon.
“Let me jump in the shower,” Kate said, trying to pull out of Kelly’s embrace.
“Ah, don’t leave.” Kelly made one final attempt to keep Kate in her lap.
“I won’t be long,” she smiled. “It would be nice if you were waiting for me when I’m done.”
“As Kate hurried out of the room, Kelly was right behind her heading for the bedroom.
****
Later that evening, they sat in the kitchen nibbling on leftovers. “We are going to have to go furniture shopping soon,” Kate said, eating her salad.
“Shopping?” Kelly moaned. “My favorite activity,” she said, holding her head.
“It will be fun, or would you rather have no say in the furniture for the beach house?”
“No, I want to be involved,” Kelly agreed. “We’ve got time though, right?”
“I think after Thanksgiving, we can start.” Kate took Kelly’s hand. “Jen and Reese said we could stay at their house while we shop for furniture.”
“That was nice of them to offer.”
“They’ve been wonderful. Suggesting a great contractor to do the work on the house, and Mr. Caldwell and Jen have been keeping an eye on the work to make sure it’s done correctly.” Kate smiled. “I still can’t believe we own a beach house. I thought that day would be so far off for you and me.” She grinned at Kelly. “Did I tell you today how much I love you?”